Steel Shot Shells in shotguns?

obiestreasures

I would like to know if its safe and O.K. to use steel shot shells in modern shotguns? Around here its the law that you must use steel shot when hunting ducks. Now some folks tell me you have to have a special shotgun to shoot steel shot because they would cause damage to the barrel? Some other's tell me its O.K. to use steel shot in all modern shotguns???? Who is correct? I'am using a marlin 3" mag.12 ga. model 54 goose gun.
Thanks
Ron

Winston Bode

I don't know about that particular firearm or model but the manufacturer could tell you if you contact them via email or a phone call.

Bode

Laredo Lefty

Ron... Welcome to the forums.

Most modern shotguns can use steel shot. Where you have to be careful is the choke you are using. Steel is OK in the more open chokes from cylinder to about modified. Most gun makers warn to not use it in chokes tighter than modified. The chokes are usually marked "steel shot OK" or "No steel shot".

Since your model 54 is a goose gun and probably has a full choke barrel, steel would NOT be a good idea. If your gun has screw-in-chokes and you can change to modified or wider, then your good to go.

golferboy426

There is no danger to shooting steel through a full choke. After hundreds or even thousands of shells you might begin to see a slight barrel bulge at the end of the muzzle where the choke constriction begins. The guns is not a collector or particularly valuable so I'd pattern a few shots to see if the coverage looked ok. If if does I'd use it. It might pattern too tight though. Only way to tell is check. I've put well over 1000 shots thru my full choke remington 1100 magnum with no barrel bulge.

11b6r

Why not ask Marlin? Main Switchboard: (203) 239-5621
Gun Service (800) 544-8892

obiestreasures

Thanks fellows for the information on the steel shot, I'll call Marlin and check with them. The "Game Comm." in our state came up with this law that you can NOT use lead any more, all duck hunting weather on water or land you must use steel shot. Therefor, I dont want to have a run in with the game warden even tho Iam hunting on my own land.
Thanks
Ron

dakotashooter2

No offense meant, I'm just wondering where you have been hiding. Federal law mandated steel ( or other non-toxic) shot for waterfowl (which are regulated by federal law) at least 15-20 years ago. In some cases it has been mandated for all game on federal management areas. This is nothing new.

Steel shot uses a very thick wad that runs the full length of the shot column. These wads are often deeply imprinted by the shot but I have never seen one penetrated so the steel never touches the barrel. The biggest potential problem is using large shot like size bb and up in a full or greater choke. Steel will not deform when compressed like lead will so in essence it is like trying to jam a steel ball down a barrel that is smaller than that ball. It can increase pressures and/or rupture or bulge a barrel. Even as such I have not personally seen a problem like that occur.

tsr1965

quote:Originally posted by golferboy426
There is no danger to shooting steel through a full choke. After hundreds or even thousands of shells you might begin to see a slight barrel bulge at the end of the muzzle where the choke constriction begins. The guns is not a collector or particularly valuable so I'd pattern a few shots to see if the coverage looked ok. If if does I'd use it. It might pattern too tight though. Only way to tell is check. I've put well over 1000 shots thru my full choke remington 1100 magnum with no barrel bulge.


It all depends on what size steel shot you are using, but it is NOT SUGGESTED by ANY manufacturer to run STEEL, or the high density TUNGSTEN MATRIX shot thru a full choke, in any quantity. You are taking a great RISK on splitting the barrel, and/or hurting someone.